PITTSBURGH, May 1, 2013 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement on President Barack Obama’s decision to nominate Thomas Wheeler as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission:
“The American Cable Association is heartened that the President has nominated someone as competent as Tom Wheeler to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He has spent his career in the communications industry – running a company that invests in new entrants in the high-tech field, representing vital industry sectors, and serving on government panels. At a time when the communications sector has so many opportunities and faces so many challenges, the FCC needs someone that is both capable and qualified. Mr. Wheeler is the right person for the job. We in the independent cable community look forward to working with him, particularly to ensure that smaller cable operators can bring the full range of benefits to their consumers and communities.
“ACA also applauds President Obama’s selection of FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to serve as Acting FCC Chair. This honor is justly deserved. Over the past several years, ACA has met frequently with Commissioner Clyburn and her staff. They have been invariably serious and fair-minded on many issues important to consumers and competition, and we expect that to continue in her new role as Acting Chairwoman. We congratulate Ms. Clyburn as the first woman in this post, and look forward to continue working with her.”
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing about 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit https://acaconnects.org/